The dreadful scenes emerging from the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict appear starkly on the minds of the denizens of Saskatoon. Individuals like Rabbi Raphael Kats, of the Chabad Jewish Centre, who was born in Israel, find the rising death toll unnerving to read about. He conveys the painful personal anguish the conflict arouses, stating, “Many of us either know someone who has been tortured, killed or abducted. It’s absolutely horrifying that our brethren in Israel are experiencing this.”
Ahmed Al-Dissi, associated with the non-profit organization Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, is another voice passionately condemning the incessant violence, having known nothing but turbulence in the region. “Enough of the bloodshed, enough of the killing,” he implores, reflecting the view of one who has lived as a Palestinian refugee for 44 long years. The long-standing conflict between Israel and Gaza, Al-Dissi predicts with regret, may precipitate further bloodshed for years to come.
He expresses his fears poignantly by saying, “It will be a waste of blood, it’s a waste of humanity, a waste of humans being killed on both sides if this conflict fails to invoke international pressure to achieve a diplomatic solution.”
Rabbi Kats echoes these anxieties, voicing concern that the conflict will perpetuate inescapably as Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by Canada as well as other Western leaders, remains involved. “With Hamas, there’s absolutely no negotiating,” points out Kats. “Their charter is to kill Jews which implies this conflict could recur relentlessly without intervention.”
Meanwhile, in the provincial legislature where an empathetic discussion on the war transpired, leaders voiced their support for the Jewish community. The gravity of the situation was highlighted by Premier Scott Moe when he compared it to Canadian Thanksgiving, saying, “While we had the privilege of gathering together to celebrate Thanksgiving, Israelis were searching for their loved ones or mourning their loss.”
Echoing these sentiments, NDP leader Carla Beck called for a swift cessation to the terrorist attacks and an immediate release of all hostages. In a bid to offer immediate assistance, the province is also pledging $100,000 as emergency aid to Israelis impacted by the tumultuous warfare.
This funding will be directed to the humanitarian organization Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel (CMDA), which has so far provided Israel with more than 250 ambulances and other emergency aid vehicles in an effort to mitigate the effects of the ongoing upheaval.
